Trees are extremely important for our life. Trees extract groundwater using their roots and release it into the atmosphere. When trees are destroyed, the trees no longer could evaporate away this water. Thus it results in a much drier climate.

Demolition of trees reduces the content of water in the soil and groundwater. It also reduces the content of water as atmospheric moisture. Further the dry soil leads to lower water intake for the trees to extract. The process continues and the ecosystem become worsens by time.

Thanks for a couple of studies, initiatives, innovation and invention that are made to plant trees in deserts. Perhaps one day we will see many deserts area in the world today would turn green.

For example in Najran, Saudi Arabia people perhaps unexpected that trees could be grown there. Orange, lemon, mandarin and grapefruit trees were grown there in sandy soils. They are producing around 1 million or more a year for citrus fruits.

1. Planting Trees with Groasis Waterboxx System

Groasis waterboxx is a very creative design with simplicity where it would enable us to plant even in a desert without good irrigation.  In this type of system no irrigation is needed and has been proven work in few areas such as Spain where the lack of water supply is presented. The system is invented by Pieter Hoff from Holland.

 

The Groasis Technology is actually a biomimicry technology or a technology which examines the nature and uses it to solve the human problems. In this case is how we could plant trees in a desert. What the technology does are basically.

• improving the soil with mycorrhizae.
• leaving the capillary structure intact
• using plants with the right primary roots
• the use of the waterboxx and if necessary when planting on rocks
• the use of the capillary drill.

2. Planting Trees with Permaculture System

Permaculture system is a very interesting technique because the system is eco-friendly. The approach is to design settlements and agricultural systems that are modelled on the relationships found with nature.

The system has been proven works for planting trees in deserted areas such as Jordan.

3. Planting Trees with Lateral Move Irrigation System

The system is simply pumping water and sprays it on top of the plants. This system is not passive and required quite large amount of energy. Perhaps the system is only applicable for some countries which are rich with diesel and gasoline. However if the pump could be altered to powered by wind or solar powered, then it would be much better option.

Those are basically three methods for planting trees in a desert. Readers who have more methods and suggestions; we are welcome to add more. While we are approaching the end of year 2011, please don’t forget that 2011 is the International Year of Forests. Thanks for reading.